Buenos Aires - the Paris of South America

Buenos Aires is simply incredible! With 14 million residents in the metropolitan area, it is an endless city - every 3rd Argentinian lives here. The city at the mouth of the Rio Plata breathes so much history: Evita, tango, Maradona, the military dictatorship, and now the presidential seat held by the chainsaw-wielding Mileil. After decades of decline, a radical neoliberal cure is supposed to bring about a turnaround. However, more than 50% of the population currently lives below the poverty line. The dark tunnel promises to lead to light, the president assures…

Many streets remind one of New York City, while Buenos Aires is culturally referred to as the Paris of South America.

I am very positively surprised! I really like the city a lot. I had expected a stinking monstrosity, an overcrowded asphalt landscape without charm. Far from it!

The streets change depending on the neighborhood - although, like in many cities, there is a fixed checkerboard pattern. The distances with bus and metro are truly gigantic!

Unfortunately, we only have 2.5 days at first - and need to directly take a tour through the most important outdoor shops, a detour to Patagonia is already planned.

However, there is still time for a round through the political heart: Congress, Plaza de Mayo, and Villa Rosada (The government seat - the pink villa owes its name to a lime wash mixed with cow's blood)

The visit to Palacio Barolo is an absolute highlight for us! The magnificent office building was designed and built by the Italian immigrant and businessman Barolo based on Dante's Divine Comedy. With a height of 100 meters, the 22 floors are divided into hell, purgatory, and heaven. Additionally, there is a lighthouse on the roof. Upon completion in 1923, it was the tallest building in all of South America!

The next day we are on a street art tour in the neighborhoods of Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho - gentrification has already progressed far here, with a cappuccino in a Styrofoam cup costing 5 €. The graffiti tour also seems a bit superficial to us, and only later during the tour do we see some artistically and technically sophisticated works.